posted June 10, 2001 01:21 AM McCaughey Cops Second Of Season At New Egypt

New Egypt, NJ (June 9) - Darren McCaughey of Oldwick, NJ, danced to his second career win in the Modified main event during **** Greenfield Dodge's Saturday Night Fever tribute to the '70s at New Egypt Speedway on Saturday night.

"When the sun was shining this morning, I knew it would be good. We just love this slick stuff," McCaughey commented on the track and his new Teo Pro car. The second win proved "it was no fluke the first time," the winner laughed.

In the 30-lap Modified feature, McCaughey took full advantage of his front row starting spot to power into the lead by lap 3 and then cruise on home uncontested. Behind him, the big guns had their fits with the surface and each other. Current points leader Billy Pauch spun out of a top 10 spot on lap 9 and never recovered, while feature winners Frank Cozze, Kenny Brightbill, Keith Hoffman and Brian Weaver couldn't seem to find a fast line. At the finish, it was McCaughey by a half-straightaway over Tim Tanner Jr., newcomer this season Sam Martz, division rookie Ron John Koczon and Hoffman, who took over the points lead.

In a long-winded Sportsman feature that was cut short at the 30-minute time limit, Brian Godown of Frenchtown, NJ, also scored his second of the season in a hot-and-heavy event that featured some great side-by-side action. What looked to be another Godown Showdown between brothers Brian and Ryan came to an end when Ryan hit the inside berm on lap 15 and spun in turn 4. Brian held off a strong challenge by division points leader Matt Papiez for the win. Jack Swain, Dave Hoffman and Doug Liedl completed the top five.

It was a wire to wire win in the Street Stock race for Al Cheney III of Cranbury, NJ. Cheney held off a tough Rich Page II who finished second, with Bill Gerber third, Ralph Gargiulo fourth and George Quinlan fifth.

The Garden State Vintage Stock Cars were on display and in action on this night of nostalgia. Of the 25 old-time cars in attendance, the restored #47 Gremlin driven by the late Mike Grbac was voted "Fan Fave" by the crowd. The Grbac and Dooley families accepted the trophy, which was donated by concessionaire Earl Megill.

Jake's Cree-mee Freeze of Millstone awarded trophies to all feature winners, and $500 in bonuses to the third and seventh place drivers in the Sportsman ranks. Swain and Mike Lyons split the bonus pot.

Next week, it's Dad's Appreciation Night at New Egypt Speedway, with great Father's Day giveaways courtesy of Cream Ridge Golf Club. Big-block Modifieds, Sportsman and Street Stocks will all be in action, and there'll be a putting contest for the drivers on this golf-themed evening of fun. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m., with gates opening at 4 p.m. Adult admission is $13, children 7-12 are $4, and kids 6 and under are free. For more information, call the track at (609) 758-1900.